Sunday, July 5, 2009

One dead, 15 injured as bus falls into ravine in Davao del Sur

A passenger bus fell into a ravine Saturday night in Davao del Sur killing a passenger and injuring 15 others.The ACF bus was almost totally destroyed after it fell 100 hundred feet into a ravine in Sitio Magasayap in Barangay Kidalapong in Malita town in Davao Del SurReported killed immediately was Arnel Masunong who was reported to have been seated on the front side of the bus. Most of the injured meanwhile were initially taken to Malita District Hospital. Some would later be transferred to Davao Medical Center in Davao CityInitial information said that the bus lost its brakes as it travelled fast along a curve in Magasayap Highway. The driver reportedly lost control of the bus and it went straight to a deep ravine.“Nag-malfunction ang brake kaya’t nahulog, disgrasya talaga ang nangyari,” said Superintendent Victorina Mendez, Malita police chief.“Mabilis ang takbo namin, dumiretso na sa bangin, nanalangin na lang ako na ‘Diyos ko iligtas n’yo kami’,” said Philip Geya, one of the passengers who were injured.Benny Carcillar, the driver of the ill-fated bus, was described in critical condition. The crash pinned Carcillar on his seat. He was brought to San Pedro Hospital of Davao City.Masunong’s wife, Dina, meanwhile was distraught. She said her husband took a day off from his work and was about to surprise her on her birthday Saturday. She said he was bringing her a cake from the bakery in Digos City where he worked.“Dadalhan sana daw niya ako ng cake. Di ko matanggap pero anong magagawa natin, disgrasya e,” said Dina.Malita police meanwhile have coordinated with the management of ACF bus to provide assistance to the accident victims.The others injured were identified as Rosalyn Bacudo, 24; Maricel Sarana, 21; Rosela Sarana, 41; Antonio Cator, 56 (bus conductor); Danilo Sangcaan, 37; Pebigine Geya, 8; Boy Garcia, 40; Joy Lareno, 30; Lydia Bacarro, 62; Joy Silvano, 34; Janeen Fe Nicole Silvano, 5; Cenon Desucatan, 49 and Edith Doria, 56. (From a report of Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao)